• Text size Normal size text | Increase text size by 10% | Increase text size by 20% | Increase text size by 30%

UNHCR chief Guterres signs funding agreement with Ireland

News Stories, 5 February 2009

© UNHCR/S.O'Brien
Ireland's Minister of State for Overseas development Peter Power (left) and High Commissioner António Guterres sign the funding agreement.

DUBLIN, Ireland, February 5 (UNHCR) – The Irish government has pledged to continue its substantial financial support for the UN refugee agency under an accord signed with High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.

Guterres, making his first visit to Ireland as UNHCR chief, inked a biannual agreement in Dublin on Wednesday with Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power, who signed on behalf of Irish Aid, Ireland's programme of assistance to developing countries.

The deal is worth 14.35 million euros (US$18.7 million) a year, but UNHCR might also seek additional emergency funding from Ireland and other countries depending on needs identified by the agency.

The agreement is an important strategic planning tool for UNHCR as its partnership with Ireland continues to grow. Like other donor nations, Ireland has had to consider cuts in its overseas aid at a time of economic recession.

But despite planned cuts, announced Tuesday, to its overseas development assistance, Ireland's contribution to UNHCR remains substantial. The small European nation also remains the sixth most generous donor for overseas development assistance internationally in per capita terms and among UNHCR's top 15 donors in monetary terms.

Ireland granted UNHCR some US$27 million annually in 2007 and 2008, consisting of a core contribution and funds for emergency operations. The money helped fund the refugee agency's operations worldwide to assist millions of displaced people.

"The agreement will help us develop our already very strong operational relationship with Irish Aid and offers a solid framework for assisting UNHCR achieve its global objectives for uprooted people," said Manuel Jordão, UNHCR's representative in Ireland.

"It's also crucial to have mechanisms this to measure the effectiveness of assistance given to us," Jordão added. An important aspect of the agreement will guide the monitoring and evaluation of UNHCR's performance, which will be reported in UNHCR's annual Global Report and at meetings of the agency's governing Executive Committee, of which Ireland is a member.

Guterres also discussed UNHCR's relationship with Ireland during a separate meeting on Wednesday with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

By Steven O'Brien in Dublin, Ireland

• DONATE NOW •

 

• GET INVOLVED • • STAY INFORMED •

Related stories by:

UNHCR country pages

The Global Report and Funding Reports

A comprehensive view of the refugee agency's challenges and achievements worldwide.

Donors

Governments, organisations and individuals who fund UNHCR's activities.

The Global Appeal and Supplementary Appeals

Alerting donors, organizations and individuals to the plight of millions of uprooted people.

The High Commissioner

António Guterres, who joined UNHCR on June 15, 2005, is the UN refugee agency's 10th High Commissioner.

UNHCR chief meets Malian refugees in Burkina Faso

On 1 August, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres travelled to northern Burkina Faso with the United States' Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BRPM), Anne Richard. In Damba camp, they met with Malian refugees who had fled northern Mali in the past six months to escape the ongoing conflict and political instability. To date, more than 250,000 Malian refugees have fled their homes and found refuge in neighbouring countries, including 107,000 in Burkina Faso alone. The UN refugee agency has only received one-third of the US$153 million it needs to provide life-saving assistance such as shelter, water, sanitation, health services, nutrition and protection to the refugees. UNHCR fears that the volatile political and humanitarian situation in Mali could lead to further outflows to neighbouring countries.

UNHCR chief meets Malian refugees in Burkina Faso

Angelina Jolie meets boat people in Malta, Lampedusa

Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie joined UNHCR chief António Guterres on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where they met with boat people who have fled unrest in North Africa.

More than 40,000 people, including refugees and asylum-seekers, have crossed the Mediterranean on overcrowded boats and descended on the small island since the beginning of the year.

The UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador flew to Lampedusa from Malta, which has also been a destination for people fleeing North Africa by boat.

Angelina Jolie meets boat people in Malta, Lampedusa

UNHCR and Partners Tackle Malnutrition in Mauritania Camp

The UN refugee agency has just renewed its appeal for funds to help meet the needs of tens of thousands of Malian refugees and almost 300,000 internally displaced people. The funding UNHCR is seeking is needed, among other things, for the provision of supplementary and therapeutic food and delivery of health care, including for those suffering from malnutrition. This is one of UNHCR's main concerns in the Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania, which hosts more than 70,000 Malians. A survey on nutrition conducted last January in the camp found that more than 13 per cent of refugee children aged under five suffer from acute malnutrition and more than 41 per cent from chronic malnutrition. Several measures have been taken to treat and prevent malnutrition, including distribution of nutritional supplements to babies and infants, organization of awareness sessions for mothers, increased access to health facilities, launch of a measles vaccination campaign and installation of better water and sanitation infrastructure. Additional funding is needed to improve the prevention and response mechanisms. UNHCR appealed last year for US$144 million for its Mali crisis operations in 2013, but has received only 32 per cent to date. The most urgent needs are food, shelter, sanitation, health care and education.

The photographs in this set were taken by Bechir Malum.

UNHCR and Partners Tackle Malnutrition in Mauritania Camp

Lebanon: Guterres urges supportPlay video

Lebanon: Guterres urges support

On the first leg of his World Refugee Day visit to the region, the UN High Commissioner calls for support for Lebanon.
Chad: Class ActPlay video

Chad: Class Act

Funding from the European Union helps refugee children in southern Chad's Camp Amboko go to school.
EnoughPlay video

Enough

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and the heads of four key UN sister organizations call on governments to find a political solution to the Syria crisis.